Why can't we have a 'Stand up to violence against women night'?

[Scarletohello]

Whilst I applaud the ideals of the Stand up to cancer tonight, I wonder why we can't have a similar night against violence towards women, raising money for charities such as Rape Crisis, Women's Aid, Refuge, Karma Nivarna and raising awareness on these issues?

Will it ever happen??

Probably not. But why...?

Could posters gather on the different Mn local boards one after the other?

Depending on the local boards, as some of them are hardly used. Maybe as a multi pronged thing? A big MNHQ sponsored thread, along with a Facebook presence and a Twitter hashtag. I'm sure some of the feminist big hitters on Twitter would get on board.

Hmm, a March around a few topics instead?

Some great ideas here. Awareness raising is important too, especially in the context of how it is often minimised by others, and low criminal sentences given when prosecuted. Some of the cases in the article are shocking

www.theguardian.com/society/2014/oct/18/teesside-judge-far-too-soft-on-domestic-abusers-say-three-police-commissioners

I think all these ideas are great. There isn't enough publicity around dv and when people do try to discuss it it is so often derailed eg 'men can be victims of dv too'. Same with rape. Dv and rape are mainly experienced by women (and children) and yet the 'it happens to men, too' always seems to be rolled out.

There was the excellent 'murdered by my boyfriend' on tv recently but it was hidden away on bbc3 and i don't think it got the viewers it deserved. Very uncomfortable viewing yet something that many many women experience.

I agree re the animal charities too. Animals are seen as innocent. Victims of dv are often seen as 'bringing it on themselves'. 'Why don't they just leave?' 'I wouldn't stand for it if my dh raised his hand to me'. Etc. Again, similar to rape. Two crimes against women where the victims are frequently blamed.

What about a real march/walk (or marches) that has an online component?

Make it yourself, then.

There are so many things which would 'deserve' a Stand. Up To... night (although hopefully a less shitty version of the cancer one). Mental illness, child abuse, Alzheimer's, anti semitism, racism, heart disease, obesity, child labour, chronic illness, relative poverty, pollution, strokes, extremism, animal abuse, alcoholism, drug addiction, Islamophobia, forced marriage (well, a form of violence against women), etc. All of them would be worthy of a Stand Up To... thing. And so would Stand Up to Violence Against Women, of course, but it won't happen for certain if no one does something about it.

Cancer is, for many, an 'easier' thing kt raise awareness for/have a night for. People ioin in and don't feel attacked (because, however wrongly, some men will do the NAMALT thing, or similar, and the MRAs would cry misandry, it's all too predictable). It isn't controversial (although it really shouldn't be controversial) and people can watch and join in, and feel good about themselves.

Oh dear!

Even my first post wasn't denoting a lack of willingness, more a sense of fear that the low level activism I do on Twitter, and the abuse I get, might be amplified by the NAMALT bigade.

Great idea Scarlet. I agree MyEmpire, that article makes for shocking reading.

It almost needs something visual, like the Wave of Light, to work online/virtually. The Whitte a Ribbon maybe?

White Ribbon* not sure what my phone was trying to say there!

The White Ribbon movement is associated with male-led awareness campaigns. A great idea obviously, but that should be taken into consideration in using the white ribbon.

For fundraising, you might want a broader focus and branding.

Patrick Stewart is one sleb who speaks very eloquently about male violence against women and children. A web chat with him would be a good part of a virtual March.

The ribbons do have different associations depending on the country and the campaign.

The UK website linked to above by Boulevard has this language:

"We’re a group of men who know that there’s never an excuse for violence against women."

I'd like to be mates with him.... Does that count?

Just a thought, love the idea of Patrick Stewart, so on that theme, what about something like ' violence against women affects everyone' (children,parents, wider family members and has a huge cost to society in general ). Not wanting it to be too menz appeasing but it would make it more inclusive and could broaden the appeal and help educate people.

What do people think?

Could mnhq put a white ribbon next to your posting name if you donate - much like buying and wearing a poppy or ribbon irl?

YY Patrick Stewart.

I like that idea Scarletto.